LOUISVILLE, Kentucky -- Jordan Larson has been wearing two outfits since August.
There's her LOVB Omaha practice clothes, which she dons most mornings. And then there's the Nebraska volleyball coaching uniform, which she wears almost daily in Lincoln.
Larson, the four-time Olympic medalist, has two day jobs. She is, of course, one of the Founding Athletes of LOVB Omaha Volleyball, where the outside hitter is expected to lead the charge in the inaugural season. But it's also her second year on staff at her alma mater, which is back in the NCAA semifinals Thursday when the Huskers play Penn State. We caught up after practice Wednesday in the KFC Yum! Center.
"I've been doing double days. LOVB in the morning and Nebraska in the afternoon, and that started the first day of preseason," Larson said.
Once the NCAA Tournament started, LOVB Omaha coach Susie Fritz has let Jordan spend her time with the Huskers.
"Susie's been awesome with understanding when I can be there and when I can't. The team's been awesome, too, and I'm excited to be all-in come January."
When she does finally settle into an all-LOVB routine, Jordan will be doing it in a new house in Omaha and with have a new housemate: an English Bulldog puppy. Jordan is quick to show a photo of the cutest thing ever, who will join her soon. And who doesn't have a name yet.
"It'll be great to have something at home when I come home," she said with a smile.
The name? "I don't know. I like Wyn, W-Y-N. My friend was like, you like to win' and this is a different spelling. It's kind of cute but I'm still open."
Jordan, 38, has long been known in volleyball by the nickname "The Governor."
"Someone was like, 'What's under the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, what about Lieutenant?' But it's a girl, so maybe Lou."
Getting a house and a dog will add some normalcy to a volleyball life that has been in overdrive this year. Jordan flew home from the Paris Olympics August 12 and jumped into the preseason. Nebraska opened the regular season here in Louisville on August 27 against Kentucky. That feels like two weeks and/or eight years ago.
"It really does," she said. “The fact that we're already in the final four, I don't know, this season has gone by so fast."
Nebraska, of course, has had a great season, but no matter how it ends, it's back to pro volleyball for one of the greatest USA players ever.
"Susie's been great at organizing everything," Jordan said. "Being in her space, she's speaking my language and I'm really enjoying that. Our girls have been awesome. We've done this LOVB share where basically every two days a new athlete presents before practice about something they're passionate about.
"It's been allowing us to get to know each other quicker and it's authentic to us. It's been really fun to explore that space and I'm really excited to see how the season goes. There are really good people within the program."
LOVB Omaha opens its season at LOVB Houston on January 10. The team’s other Founding Athlete is fellow Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes, who also played at Nebraska. The roster has an interesting mix of college and pro experience, including former Penn State setter Gabby Blossom, Stanford opposite Audriana Ftizmorris, and a few other former Huskers, including outside Madi Kubik-Banks and Lauren Stivrins.
"Everyone's eager to make this into something."
Jordan said she's been particularly impressed by setter Laura Dijkema, a setter from the Netherlands.
"I competed against her for many years on the national team, and she jokes that I'm like a little chihahaha that doesn't go away. In the best way, as a competitive athlete. Now competing with her on the same side of the net is really full circle. When you're competing against someone you don't actually know what they're like in the moment, it's really cool to see how fired up she gets and how much she loves the game. She’s still a student of the game.”
Much like Jordan is. Although, sometimes, Jordan teaches the game, too.
In one of her many roles.
